AGP Executive Report

OSU Football: First-year coach Eric Morris says his Cowboys are still “teachers” in fall camp, after tweaking practice structure using GPS data and focusing on physicality, blocking and tackling ahead of the Sept. 5 opener vs. Tulsa. OKC Thunder (Game-Day Culture): Thunder Entertainment is holding auditions at Paycom Center for Thunder Drummers (Aug. 18) and Storm Chasers (Aug. 20), with prep classes next week. NBA Trade Talk: A new report frames Peyton Watson’s contract situation as a pressure point for the Nuggets, while another insider suggests the Lakers may have to trade Austin Reaves after roster moves around Luka Doncic. NFL Spotlight: Eagles tackle Lane Johnson says 2026 could be his last season, pointing to family priorities. Local Weather: Severe thunderstorm warning issued for Butler, Montgomery and Warren counties, with muggy conditions and more storm chances ahead. Food Safety: Albertsons recalls Taylor Farms jalapeno items over possible Salmonella risk. Oklahoma Entertainment & Arts: Red Clay Roots Festival highlights Indigenous talent and honors the Choctaw Code Talkers, mixing film, comedy, and music at OCCC. Shopping: Oklahoma’s tax-free weekend runs Aug. 7-9 for eligible clothing and footwear under $100 per item.

Oklahoma Arts & Culture: Tulsa’s OKPOP Museum honored SpongeBob SquarePants creator Stephen Hillenburg with an event featuring Tom Kenny, plus a first look at Hillenburg’s archive—proof that the Oklahoma connection to pop culture keeps growing. Local Arts Spotlight: ARTesian Gallery & Studios in Sulphur is hosting “Statements in Color,” a retrospective of Chickasaw Hall of Fame artist Paul “Lance” Straughn through Aug. 26. Film & Theater (Oklahoma): Matthew McConaughey’s new movie, The Rivals of Amziah King, opens Aug. 14 at the State Theatre, with the story set in rural Oklahoma and bluegrass music at the center. Sports (Oklahoma): Yukon’s tennis team shined at the Oklahoma Coaches Association Large West All-State matches, earning four all-state selections. Community Health: SWOSU Rural Health Center received a $199,941.98 microgrant to bring mobile health resources and kits to Roger Mills and Washita counties. Local News: Parents of an Oklahoma teen challenging a plea deal in a sexual assault case say they were misled about the terms.

Oklahoma Comic Con: Tulsa’s Arvest Convention Center hosts Oklahoma Comic Con Aug. 8-9 with celebrity Q&As, panels, photos, and autographs—plus voice talent like SpongeBob’s Tom Kenny and guests tied to Power Rangers, Red Dead Redemption, and Hazbin Hotel. Stage Spotlight: OKC Broadway brings the Tony-winning musical “The Outsiders” to the Civic Center Music Hall Aug. 25-30, with a story of friendship, family, and belonging. Sports—Sooners Focus: OU’s 2026 push hinges on offensive line development after a 2025 rushing slump; Lloyd Avant is emerging as a backfield leader in fall camp. Sports—Cowboys on the Move: OSU men’s golf released its 2026-27 schedule, and OSU men’s basketball returns to the Charleston Classic in November. Local Planning: OKC asks the public for feedback on its Downtown Strategic Development Plan, including an Entertainment Loop and a cultural spine. Media Policy: An FCC vote lifts a TV ownership cap, drawing warnings about fewer local jobs and less diversity.

Local Arts & Education: Putnam City educators traded classrooms for cellos, taking weekly beginner lessons and ending with a performance that helped them better understand what it’s like to learn something new. Documentary Spotlight: A new film, “Dust Bowls and Jewish Souls,” explores how Woody Guthrie’s Jewish roots shaped his life and music. Music in Oklahoma: Paycom Center’s latest concert roundup spotlights country and arena-ready acts, including a look at recent and upcoming OKC shows. Oklahoma Sports (Soccer): OSU’s Cowgirls opened an exhibition with a fast start, with sophomore Sonora DeFini scoring twice in a 2-1 win over Tulsa. Tribal News: The Osage Nation says it’s in a financial state of emergency, closing language immersion and other programs as budget cuts hit. Public Safety: Two volunteer firefighters were critically injured in a tanker crash east of Stillwater after a tire failure. Health Alert: CDC reports a salmonella outbreak linked to fresh jalapeños, with major restaurant chains removing the implicated peppers.

OKC Schools Expansion: Oklahoma City Public Schools is opening a new bilingual elementary school plus a high school College and Career Center with labs for drones, healthcare, aviation, and teaching. Mooreland Live Series: Mooreland Events and The Food Barn are teaming up for a monthly dinner and live entertainment night featuring Oklahoma performers. OHP Academy Update: Oklahoma Highway Patrol says applicants for its 77th academy cleared a 2,000-meter rowing physical agility test and are moving toward background checks. Music Tickets: Willow Avalon’s Pink Pocket Pistol Tour lands at Beer City Music Hall in Oklahoma City Aug. 15, with a ticket giveaway running through Aug. 12. Sports—OU Camp Notes: Brent Venables says QB John Mateer is progressing in year two as OU fall camp ramps up. Cherokee Nation Wellness Center: The Cherokee Nation opened a new 75,000-square-foot Tahlequah wellness center, a $30 million project aimed at community health and fitness. Viral Celebrity Moment: Michael B. Jordan surprised Tulsa grandmother Mary Story after her TikTok went viral, FaceTiming her and making her day.

NBA Contract News: Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks agreed to a three-year, $73 million extension through 2029-30, keeping the “villain” in the Valley after a career-best 20.2 points per game season. Community & Youth: OSU-Tulsa hosted its sixth annual Back to School Bash, drawing 1,000+ Green Country families for free supplies, resources, and live entertainment. Oklahoma Sports & Culture: Oklahoma’s plains spotted skunk could be headed toward endangered-species review, with OSU researcher Danielle Brosend studying the rare, handstand “spray warning” animal in southeastern Oklahoma. Local Life: Tuttle hit Stage 2 water restrictions amid a heatwave, with water pressure dropping to 37 PSI as towers fell to 70% capacity. Food Safety: Qdoba joined Chipotle in removing jalapeños tied to a salmonella outbreak now reported across 27 states, including Oklahoma. Health Watch: Florida’s cyclospora outbreak keeps climbing, with new links to lettuce exposures.

Oklahoma Sports & Schools: Norman Public Schools will cancel classes Friday, Sept. 4, so families can safely deal with traffic and road closures tied to OU’s UTEP opener. Oklahoma Football (OSU): Cowboys opened fall camp with a focus on toughness and execution, with new head coach Eric Morris saying the team is ahead on installs thanks to offseason work and walk-throughs. Oklahoma Football (OU): OU President Joseph Harroz called the proposed Norman South Extension Turnpike “absolutely essential,” arguing new exits would boost campus growth and cut travel time, while opponents warn it’s tied to future development and could harm rural landowners. Local Rodeo: The Lawton Rangers Rodeo returns for its 88th year with nightly events Aug. 5-8, plus a dance on Friday and Saturday. Arts & Culture: Totem Pole Park in Rogers County highlights Route 66 folk art, including the world’s largest concrete totem pole. Thunder Buzz: Lu Dort posted an emotional goodbye after being traded to the Hawks, thanking OKC fans for seven seasons.

College Football Buzz: The 2026 preseason Coaches Poll is out, with Ohio State starting No. 1 and Oregon No. 2; Texas A&M lands No. 8 and Oklahoma checks in at No. 9, setting up big expectations for the Sooners’ offense and key coordinator questions. Oklahoma Sports Spotlight: Oklahoma’s football outlook also gets a local boost from coverage of fall-camp storylines and transfer impact as teams chase playoff spots. Pro Sports & Local Interest: The NFL’s Arizona Cardinals named J.P. Shadrick as their new radio voice, while the OKC Thunder keep building momentum heading into the 2026-27 season. Arts & Community: Enid’s museum scene gets attention as a local institution rebrands to better reflect its identity. Local Entertainment/Events: Oklahoma City’s $10 Hamilton ticket lottery opens ahead of upcoming performances, and the city hosts major festival energy with Red Earth Festival events. Tech & Daily Life: Oklahoma’s digital driver’s license may be nearing iPhone support, hinting at a smoother future for state IDs.

Oklahoma Sports Spotlight: The Sooners open the season ranked No. 9 in the preseason coaches poll, setting up a Sept. 4 opener vs. UTEP and putting quarterback John Mateer front and center at OU Media Day. Public Art & Music Legacy: The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority approved $5 million for public art along Access Oklahoma routes, starting with the Toby Keith Expressway. Motorsports Honors: NASCAR star Christopher Bell marked Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame induction for Emmett Hahn, praising the motorsports pioneer for creating opportunities for Oklahoma dirt racers. Local Courtroom Watch: Oklahoma policyholders in the State Farm insurance lawsuit won key discovery rulings, pushing toward depositions of executives and access to documents after the state Supreme Court denied State Farm’s appeal. Cherokee Nation Update: Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. shared 2025 milestones and 2026 goals, highlighting the transition of the Claremore Indian Hospital to Cherokee Nation management. Arts & Culture: Pajaro Valley Arts opened “Body Marking: art, ritual & story,” exploring tattoos and other body art as identity and tradition. Community Calendar Pick: United Way of South Central Oklahoma’s BBQ Showdown returns Aug. 7-8 with live music and a big cooking competition.

Local Arts & Culture: Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame is back after a 16-month renovation, with a grand reopening planned for September. Music & Touring: Wynonna Judd announced “The Hard Truth Tour,” with Oklahoma on the fall run. Film & Pop Culture: Dafne Keen is set for FAN EXPO: Boston (Aug. 7–9), bringing major “Deadpool & Wolverine” buzz. Local Business (Luxury): Diamond Consulate opened plans for Oklahoma City’s first appointment-only, private jewelry consultation studio, launching in November. Sports (Oklahoma): Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame inducted the 2026 class, including Sam Bradford and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Sports (OKC/Statewide): USWNT won gold at the International Cup in Oklahoma City, beating Japan 2–0 behind Montana Fouts. Education & Policy: Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics faces renewed scrutiny after refusing Title IX protections, with critics calling it a crisis waiting to happen.

WNBA & OKC-area sports: Arike Ogunbowale says the Dallas Wings finally playing in Dallas (American Airlines Center) in 2027 is a win for the team’s identity and local culture. College football in Oklahoma: Oklahoma QB John Mateer and Oklahoma State QB Drew Mestemaker plus RB Caleb Hawkins were named to the 2026 Maxwell Award watch list. Recruiting buzz: Oklahoma sits at No. 6 in the 2027 class (247Sports), while Ohio State landed four-star guard Mya Wilson for 2027. High school football: Bartlesville starts fall camp under new head coach Matt Hennesy, and Caney Valley opens its independent-schedule season with coach Derrick Hammer. International Cup in OKC: U.S. Elite took a 3-0 lead over Canada at Devon Park in the bronze-medal matchup. Oklahoma entertainment & culture: A documentary on Woody Guthrie’s Jewish roots is getting screenings, tying the Oklahoma-born legend to Yiddish literary and folk revival history. Local community events: Louisa County Fair keeps 4-H and small-town traditions rolling with livestock, food, and family fun.

Sports Venues Watch: A new ranking puts Utah’s Rice-Eccles Stadium at No. 1 in the Big 12, praising tradition, looks, and game-day atmosphere. CFP Countdown: ESPN Research says 28 teams have at least a 10% shot at the College Football Playoff in the 12-team era, with coaches debating how many real contenders exist. Player Safety: The National Athletic Trainers’ Association and high school sports groups urge new heat rules for football linemen, including cutting out early-season punishment drills. Oklahoma Broadband: Oklahoma launched library “portal” rooms to help rural residents access telehealth, job training, and remote services. Chickasaw Healthcare: The Chickasaw Nation broke ground on the Newcastle medical center, aiming to become one of the largest First American hospitals in the U.S. Local Sports Spotlight: The U.S. Women’s Amateur at The Honors Course in Ooltewah kicks off this week, with full TV and course details. AI Data Center Debate: Tulsa hosted a forum on AI data centers’ power and water impacts, pushing for more local transparency as projects expand. Theater & Music: Porthouse Theatre’s “Brigadoon” review highlights Scottish-themed staging, while Elemental Music releases a newly issued Kenny Barron archival set. Film Release: “American Martyr,” a documentary about Blessed Stanley Rother, is set for a short run in Oklahoma.

Film Spotlight: Arrow’s 4K restoration brings back “Soylent Green” (1973), Charlton Heston’s dystopian police thriller about a future food crisis and a society split between “real food” and Soylent. Local Sports (OKC): The International Cup softball showdown—U.S. Women’s National Team vs. U.S. Elite—hits Devon Park in Oklahoma City Sunday night, with ESPN streaming the 7 p.m. game. MLB Trade Buzz: The Dodgers land two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, sending River Ryan, Zyhir Hope and Brady Smith to Detroit; Skubal debuts Tuesday at Wrigley Field. Oklahoma Education/Politics: Oklahoma State Superintendent candidate James Taylor faces criticism after Little Axe Public Schools says he used a classroom and district resources for campaign ads; Taylor says he took responsibility and tried to remove the posts. Pro Sports in the Spotlight: Govs. Kevin Stitt and Wes Moore call for “dignity” in politics, blaming primaries for pushing campaigns to extremes.

Oklahoma Arts & Culture: Red Earth Festival is underway at the Oklahoma City Convention Center, bringing more than 130 Native artists plus dance, film and music through the weekend. Red Dirt Music: Stillwater’s Wyatt Flores is back in Oklahoma for album-release stops, including a visit to OKC’s Guestroom Records for signings and fan time. Sports in the Spotlight (OKC): Devon Park in Oklahoma City hosted the USA Softball International Cup, with the USWNT beating China 10-1 in the run-rule finish, and the U.S. Elite taking on Japan later Saturday. Tech & Storytelling: Nathaniel Rich’s new novel “Cloudthief” leans into the real-world world of massive data centers and heists, with the plot explicitly weaving in Oklahoma as part of its techno-thriller chase. Big Sports News (National): MLB’s deadline shockwave landed when the Dodgers acquired Tarik Skubal from the Tigers for top prospects.

Public Art: Bailee the Kid just added a new Cowboy mural to McAlester’s Mat Food Mart, teaming up with Sooner Coca-Cola Bottling to spotlight the “toughness and resilience” of the American cowboy. Red Earth Festival: Oklahoma City’s Red Earth Festival is underway at the Convention Center with 130+ Native artists plus dance, film screenings, and music—running Saturday and Sunday. Red Dirt Music: Stillwater native Wyatt Flores is back in Oklahoma for his sophomore album “Scared of Heights,” with stops and signings in OKC and a free Tulsa show. OKC Sports Buzz: The Thunder’s offseason reshuffling is still the talk, with Cason Wallace named as a potential trade asset—so the big question is whether OKC should move him or build around him. College Football Rule Watch: A new federal ruling could let some former OU players return in 2026, with names like Mason Thomas and Gracen Halton mentioned as possibilities. Local Culture Calendar: Shawnee’s Fire Lake Firelight Balloon Fest returns Aug. 7-8 with balloons, live music, and family activities.

Jazz & Local Culture: Max Holm’s story of cold-calling Chick Corea’s camp and building a career in Oklahoma highlights how one big break can turn into a lifelong music mission. Film Night in Moore: “American Martyr,” the documentary about Blessed Stanley Rother, brought a red-carpet crowd to the Regal Warren Theater in Moore. Native Arts & Heritage: The Oklahoma Indian Nation Powwow returns July 31–Aug. 2 in Concho, celebrating Route 66 with three days of dancing and community. Route 66 Spotlight: Former El Reno Mayor Charles H. Tompkins was inducted into the Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame. Sports Honors (Local Schools): Southwest Covenant’s Gunner Starnes and Annabelle “AB” Webber earned All-State recognition in basketball and volleyball. Music Museum News: The Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in Muskogee is set for a grand reopening Sept. 26 after a 16-month renovation. Youth Sports: Oklahoma 4-H shooters competed at the National 4-H Shooting Sports Championships, finishing eighth overall. Big-Stage Softball in OKC: USA’s Elite and the USWNT faced American Samoa and Canada at Devon Park in Oklahoma City. Education Watch: An AI-powered, teacher-free private school called Alpha School is opening in Oklahoma this August.